Tag: Touring Tips

  • Hire a Photographer for Your Show (Why + How)

    Why a photographer is worth it

    Momentum needs media. The morning after a show is your best window for reach. A photographer who hands you 2-5 edited previews that night lets you post while excitement is still hot, then drip out a full set across the week.

    Quality multiplies results. Clean, well lit images consistently outperform phone pics: higher saves and shares, better follow through to streaming, and stronger click through on tour announcements and ticket links.

    Professionalism compounds. Venues, promoters, and local media want assets they can repost. Deliver a link to a small press set with credits and you’ll get more tags, more shares, and more inbound opportunities.

    What you’re buying: a night-of preview (2–5 images), a final set (15–40 selects), a few vertical frames for Reels/Stories, and permission to use the photos for band promo across social, website, and press kits.

    Realistic budgets & simple terms

    Typical local ranges: $100–$400 for emerging shooters; $400–$1,200+ for experienced tour photographers. Many will trade for 2 comp tickets, drink tickets, and guaranteed tags—just be clear on scope and usage.

    Usage baseline: “Perpetual, nonexclusive license for band promo (social, website, EPK, press). No merch or third party ads without written approval.” Put that sentence in email and you’re covered for most scenarios.

    How to find photographers on Instagram

    Search smart: look at the Location tab for your venue and recent shows, then check who shot those bands. Browse hashtags like #YourCityConcert, #YourVenue, #livemusicphotography, and #tourlife.

    Vet quickly: Can they handle low light and motion? Are skin tones consistent? Do they post recent work (last 60–90 days)? Do captions tag venues/acts (a sign they understand promo)? Do they link full galleries?

    What to ask for: night-of preview count, total final selects, verticals for Reels, delivery timing, rate or trade, and usage rights (promo only is standard).

    Outreach templates you can paste

    Instagram DM

    Hey [Photographer Name]! Loved your shots of [Band/Venue]. We’re [Artist] playing [Venue, City] on [Date] ([Set Time]).

    Could you shoot the set? We’re hoping for:
    • 2–5 preview edits the night of
    • 15–30 final selects (incl. a few verticals for Reels)
    • Delivery within 48–72 hours
    • Promo usage across our socials/website (no merch)

    Budget: $[___] (or trade: 2 comps + drink tix + tags). If you’re available, what’s your rate & timeline?
    — [Your Name], [Role], @[handle], [you@band.com]

    Email

    Subject: Photo Request — [Artist] at [Venue, City] on [Date]

    Hi [Photographer Name],

    We love your live work (esp. the [reference post/gallery]). We’re playing [Venue] on [Date] at [Time] and would love to hire you.

    Scope
    • 2–5 preview edits night of
    • 20–40 final selects (incl. verticals for Reels)
    • Delivery: previews night of; full set within 72 hours
    • Usage: perpetual promo on socials/website/EPK/press (no merch or third-party ads without approval)

    Budget: $[___] (open to your standard rate). We’ll add 2 comp tickets and tag you in all posts.

    Thanks!
    [Your Name] — [Artist/Band]
    @[IGhandle] | [you@band.com] | [phone]

    Day-of and after-show checklist

    • Confirm access (photo pit/side stage), set length, and any lighting cues.
    • Share “must have” moments (solo, crowd moment, final chorus, guest feature).
    • Decide where previews should go (Google Drive link, Dropbox, iCloud) and the deadline.
    • Next morning: one carousel (5–8 shots) + Story tagging venue & photographer; later in the week, post 2–3 Reels from the verticals, then send a small press set to venue/promoter.
    Keep it simple: a clear ask, a fair offer, and fast crediting will turn a one off shooter into a long term collaborator.

    Related resources


    Artist Resources Library — guides and templates

    Artist Resources Library

    Guides, templates, and checklists to level up fast.


    RoadUno Tour Assistant — plan routes and pitch venues

    Try the RoadUno Tour Assistant

    Find venues, plan routes, and pitch with confidence.

    TL;DR: A photographer turns a single night into weeks of compelling content, grows your audience, and signals professionalism to venues and media. Book one before your next show—you’ll feel the difference in your metrics and your momentum.

  • Untitled post 669

    How to Build a Tour Route That Makes Sense (and Saves Money)

    Touring is one of the most exciting parts of being a musician, but without a smart plan it can become expensive fast. Poor routing burns fuel, eats into profit, and kills momentum. A well planned route saves money, grows your audience, and keeps you performing at your best. Use the guide below and the interactive chart to plan a route that makes sense for your goals.

    1. Start With a Clear Goal

    Decide what success looks like for this run. Common goals include growing fans in new markets, maximizing income, or building industry relationships. Your goal will shape which cities you target and how far you travel.

    2. Use the Anchor Show Method

    Lock in a few high value anchor shows first. These are strong guarantees, festivals, or markets with proven draw. Then stitch together secondary markets along the path to and from those anchors to reduce wasted miles.

    3. Map Smart, Not Just Straight

    Shortest distance is not always cheapest. City clusters within a 150 to 250 mile radius can outperform a straight line with long gaps. Keep average daily drive times reasonable and consider regional routing to minimize fuel and lodging.

    4. Balance Travel Days and Show Days

    Aim for four hours or less between shows when possible. Use rest or content days strategically for press, video, and networking. Small adjustments improve performance quality and merch sales.

    5. Plan For Hidden Costs

    Budget for tolls, parking, loading zones, fuel, lodging, and food. Build a cushion so surprises do not erase profit from a strong night.

    6. How RoadUNO Helps

    RoadUNO surfaces efficient routes, venue locations with 360 view, local tips, and logistics in one place. Use the chart below to plan now, then graduate to RoadUNO for faster routing and deeper insights.

    7. Interactive Tour Routing Chart

    Fill this out to map your run. Use Add Row to build your route, then Save as PDF for a clean printable copy.





    CityVenueDistance (mi)Show DateEst PayFuelLodgingOther CostsRow NetNotes
    $0
    $0
    $0
    Totals$0$0$0$0$0

    Tip: Net equals Est Pay minus Fuel, Lodging, and Other Costs. Recalculate Totals after edits or add rows as needed.